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I didn’t experience bald spots but had LOTS of thinning. It was noticeable and family pointed it out 😢 too because my hair had been so thick before surgery. I can tell as well and am pretty self-conscious about it…

I’m experiencing this now, almost 18 mos out and 39yrs, female. So weird! It’s happening more often and led me to searching forums. I’m waiting to hear back from WLS team for reasons. #nightsweats

Yup! Sometimes eating more, for some magical reason, definitely triggered weight loss for me.

I encourage recording your body measurements. When I hit stalls and started to question my weight loss, recording body measurements reinforced me.

It is hard. Anything worth it, is hard! But you have a community of people who are right there with you. Daily struggles can = daily victories. (I’m 39 also.)

You should be amazingly proud of yourself! (And only care about the opinions of those who truly matter to you!) You have made the BEST choices for YOUR life - not others. If they are uncomfortable with your choices, if they want to make snide remarks because they’re unable to deal with their own insecurities - forget those comments and place no weight or value on them. You cannot control what people do or say, and you don’t have the time or energy for it. Your time and energy is better spent towards carving the life you want. Your journey is inspirational and you owe no one an explanation.

Height: 5’ 4.75” Pre-surgery: 256 Surgery day: 241 6-mo weight: 162 I hit a one-month stall in month 5. I increased calories and saw weight start to drop again. I hope that helps!

My hair loss was significant and noticeable. It start month 4 and ran through month 9. I hope it grows back, too. When I researched Nioxin, a salon owner says this works by creating split ends and gives illusion of thicker hair/hair growth. So I decided against it. I’m using castor oil and vitamin E oil and hoping I see growth again.

I drink hibiscus tea to lower cholesterol - it really helps my levels stay healthy.

Yes, something similar (almost exact) happened to me. I contacted my insurance company, not the hospital, and was able to hash it out. (Insurance failed to check a box or something and denied.)

Great question. I, too, would’ve done it earlier if I had the chance. To be able to create a healthier lifestyle at a younger time is something I wish I had been more aware of instead of always telling myself, “I have time” or “I’m still young.” I applaud you and wish I had been more self-aware at your age to even consider this. Now you get decades in front of you of being healthy, strong, AND young! I also think the mental strength you will build should bleed into other aspects of your life. What an opportunity I wish I had 16 years ago (currently 39). Best of luck, lady!

Michelle, I met this requirement by meeting monthly for (6) months to talk about my diet/exercise/nutrition. Encounters lasted anywhere from 5-20 minutes. Two of the encounters UHC allowed were the initial consultation/referral from PCP and first pre-op consultation with Surgeon. When I felt I had met my 6 months, I called UHC to confirm one more time and they also sent the pre-approval to Surgeon. I hope that helps!

LOL! 💕

Love that! Can’t wait for my chart to reflect that, too.

Well, how often is the bingeing happening? When I’m on my period, it hits me hard and I let my body have all the sugar it wants. The second it’s over, my body goes back to my learned habits and I can say no easily. I feel it too when I have work stress. Recognize what is triggering the need is what I’m trying to work on. *I’m almost at 8mos as well.*

That’s awesome 👏! Surgery was 9/17/2020 and currently -101 from HW, -85 from day of surgery. I was not told weight loss is too much, but I actively made decision to start maintaining now (I made GW to be -100 from HW, 156).

Your story is beautiful, motivating, and great to hear. I hope you post how the trip goes. I relate closely to your stats and “why.” I like hearing the pitfalls and stress eating because I’m starting do that, too. Cheers to your continued success!

If I eat something too spicy, my stomach turns over and I just feel sick. For me, it depends on the spice level, but I find I try to stay away from it in general at 7mos out. **I prefer to eat bird’s eye peppers, Thai peppers, etc. so this may not apply to you!**

You. Are. AWESOME!

This happens to me every time I expend more energy than usual. I take a break to go eat something. That helps. I’ve even had to take a nap - usually not conducive to the activity. I learned this is simply energy out = energy in. Your body is telling you it needs more energy.

I hear ya! Cranky cranky - if you watch The Office, it reminds me of Kelly in the weight loss episode - “just leave me alone!” I will get something down really quick - nuts, a cracker, juice - to stave off the hunger until I can prepare something with more substance. This doesn’t happen often because I’ve learned to set routine times for meals and water. That usually helps. I’m month 7 now, so it feels very routine at this point and I don’t have to think about doing these things. I hope I can maintain!

Sexy beast!

Nice work!

IUD here. I do not experience weight gain except during periods.

My surgery was (4) days after yours. Do you feel you have a strong support circle? We really need it with this! People who love us and want to help us be successful. That includes your PCP and surgical team. For me, it even includes these forums and reading people’s experiences. I like that you say you hold yourself accountable because that is you recognizing you can control this situation - that’s a great thing to self-acknowledge! Although the weight loss has slowed for me, coming up on (7) months, too, I’m still logging my food and always working on a better relationship with food (I currently hate it). I’ve become better at listening to my body, but I keep working on it. I disappoint myself but I just gotta get back up each time. I’m not letting “old” me win - she’s what got me here in the first place 😆. You have invested in a lot of tools that you think should be helping your journey. I’d say re-evaluate and stick to one thing for a time range, and eventually add more tools. “Track food for one day” can eventually go to one week, one month, etc. “Stare at elliptical for five minutes” can go to “stand on elliptical” to pressing ON, haha. Make the goals tiny and attainable!